With a blanket ruling from the PSL hanging over the head of Royal AM, KickOff reveals how a potential expulsion will affect Betway Premiership standings.
The League finally exercised their authority this week after booting Royal AM out of the Nedbank Cup, following a round of 32 fixture against Milford which was suspended.
Just like their bank accounts being freezed by SARS over tax non-compliance issues, the PSL has also blocked the club from playing official matches until their curator gives them financial guarantees that they are able to meet their obligations.
Indications are that SARS, rather, are in the process of auctioning Royal AM, but with a potential buyer not yet forthcoming, may be left with no choice but to expel the club.
As things stand, Thwihli Thwahla have eight league games in hand, with their last fixture having taken place on 29 December last year.
With each passing week, a definite decision from the PSL could be delivered, "with a letter of comfort" still outstanding and the League running out of dates in the calendar to reschedule their backlog of games.
Should Royal AM be expelled, all the points gained against them will be nullified and the league will continue with 15 teams.
In so far as the title race is concerned, Orlando Pirates will get an advantage, as Mamelodi Sundowns have already played the KwaZulu-Natal side and the maximum points they collected in that encounter will be expunged from the 2024/25 PSL log standings.
"Should a Member Club withdraw or be expelled from the League after the start of the Season but before the Member Club concerned has played against every other Member Club in it's Division at least once, then, all results of that Member Club will be expunged from the League as if the Member Club had not participated at all," article 5.4 of the NSL Handbook reads.
If Royal AM are expelled, they will be relegated with zero points, while the title race will take a twist, with Sundowns' 2-1 win over John Maduka's charges back in October 2024 nullified.
Pirates will get the advantage with that scenario, as it would mean one game less to play out of their three in hand.